Karachi: The draft of the Sindh Local Government Amendment Bill 2026 has been prepared, with a copy of the proposed legislation also emerging.
According to the draft, after the expiry of a local council’s term, the existing mayor or chairman will continue to perform duties as an administrator until the next local government elections are held.
The draft further states that the Sindh government will be required to approach the Election Commission 120 days before the expiry of a council’s term to initiate the process for new local government elections.
Under the proposed amendments, the deputy mayor or vice chairman will serve as the convener of the council, with the authority to preside over meetings and conduct council business. The deputy mayor or vice chairman will also be able to exercise any additional powers delegated by the mayor or chairman.
For metropolitan corporations, including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the metropolitan commissioner will serve as the chief executive.
Mediation Forums for Public Disputes
The draft proposes the establishment of mediation forums in union councils, union committees, town committees and municipal committees to resolve disputes involving members of the public.
Each mediation forum will consist of three mediators, who will be nominated from among respected and credible individuals in the local community.
The proposed legislation also outlines a formal mechanism for coordination between local government representatives and the police.
Under the draft, the SHO will maintain communication with the union chairman regarding local public safety and law-and-order matters. Similarly, the SSP will be required to coordinate with the district council chairman or corporation mayor to ensure effective policing.
However, the scope of police coordination with local government representatives will not extend to district police administration, criminal investigations or prosecution matters.
Role in Building Control and Waste Management
Union councils will be responsible for identifying illegal construction and violations of building-control regulations and reporting them to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).
The draft also assigns union councils a role in identifying solid-waste management problems in their respective areas and providing relevant information to the authorities concerned.
In addition, detailed maps showing the location and boundaries of infrastructure related to public services will have to be prepared.
Training and Representation
The proposed amendments also seek to strengthen institutional capacity within local governments. The Local Government Commission will be required to hold a meeting at least once every three months.
Councils will also be required to allocate funds in their annual budgets for the training of elected representatives and local government officials.
The councils will have the authority to implement training programmes themselves or, where appropriate, outsource them.
The draft further requires councils to submit comprehensive reports on issues faced by women and persons with disabilities, as well as their participation in council affairs.
The proposed legislation, if enacted, would introduce changes to the functioning of local councils, define their coordination with provincial institutions and police, and establish additional mechanisms for public dispute resolution and institutional development.
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